Behold Barack/Barak

President Elect, Barack Obama, bears a striking resemblance to the Biblical Barak, a leader from north Canaan. Both Barack and Barak are leaders of the oppressed, both men overcame great odds, and both men are men of faith.

President Barack Obama and Barack, son of Abinoam, were chosen to lead the oppressed. Obama’s entire campaign was aimed at minorities, America’s oppressed. Those same minorities played a major role in electing Obama as America’s first African-American President. Barak was chosen to lead the Israelites out of the hand of Jaban, a king of Canaan. Jaban had oppressed the Israelites and the Israelites cried to Deborah, a prophetess and judge of Israel at the time, for judgment. Deborah enlisted Barak. However, both men overcame great odds to become renowned leaders.

President Obama’s quest to become America’s first African-American President was met with a lot of opposition. Obama is young, lacking significant political experience, and the product of a biracial relationship. Although he represented American minorities, he fell short when compared to former presidents and former political protocol. Barak, on the other hand, challenged Jaban’s army of nine hundred chariots with only 10,000 men. Both President Obama and Barak successfully overcame the odds against them. Similarly, faith played a big role in both men’s success.

President Obama is confident, honest, and he withstood even the hardest blows. His grandmother, who raised him, died the day before Election Day and yet he pressed on. Obviously, President Obama is a man of faith who strongly believes that he can enact the change American’s desire for their government. Barak, under God’s command, defeated Jaban’s army and once again freed the Israelites from oppression. Hebrews 11:32 lists Barak among those “ who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” The same can be said of our 44th President of the United States of America, President Barack Obama.